British Empire Medal (Military) : Corporal A E Woodnutt, RAAF, Bathurst Island Radar Station

British Empire Medal (GeoVI) (Military). Engraved around edge with recipient's details.

This award to 20750 Leading Aircraftman (Temporary Corporal) Alfred Edward Woodnutt was announced in the London Gazette on 23rd April 1943. The citation states: 'On the 29th December, 1942, Corporal Woodnutt displayed outstanding courage, endurance and perseverance which resulted in the rescue of 16808 Sergeant W.H. Byrnes, Air Observer, No.31 Squadron who while returning from a raid was forced to abandon his aircraft. He came down in the sea approximately one and a half miles off the coast and Corporal Woodnutt who was stationed on an island nearby immediately went to his rescue in a small rubber dinghy. After several attempts lasting an hour, he succeeded in getting through heavy surf and reached Sergeant Byrnes who was clinging exhaustedly to portions of the wreckage of a ship. With great difficulty Corporal Woodnutt got Sergeant Byrnes into the dinghy without capsizing it and then proceeded to the shore towing the dinghy behind him. This rescue was carried out at great personal risk, as the waters in this area are infested with sharks and crocodiles'.

The incident is recorded in the book 'Whispering Death : A History of the RAAF's Beaufighter Squadrons' by Parnell. The book pp.40-41 states that the aeroplane [A19-71 from 31 Squadron] had ... 'part of an elevator shot away and the remainder jammed. Pitch control was all but non-existant and Byrnes had to move forward and stand behind Wilkins to help stabilise the Beaufighter. When the throttle was opened, the aircraft climbed and when closed, it dived. In a series of undulations, Wilkins managed to fly 725 kilometres to the nearest friendly territory, Bathurst Island, where they bailed out. Byrnes left the aircraft a bit early and landed in the sea. As soon as Wilkins saw Byrnes leave he also bailed out, landing in a swamp to be met by members of the local radar station. Byrnes, meanwhile, was in difficulties as he could not swim and, supported by his Mae West, was being swept out to sea. Corporal Woodnutt from the radar station, retrieved Wilkins' dinghy and paddled out to the rescue. This was the first time anyone from 31 Squadron had bailed out of a Beaufighter'.

Born in 1921, Corporal Woodnutt, from Croydon, New south Wales, enlisted in the RAAF as a Trainee W/T Operator in January 1941. He was stationed at the RAAF's Bathurst Island radar station when the actions resulting in the award occurred. He later transferred to aircrew and trained as an air gunner and was commissioned pilot officer in 1944, eventually reaching the rank of flight lieutenant. serving in the United Kingdom, and nominated his mother to accept his award at a ceremony in Sydney, due to his absence. Woodnutt was discharged in 1947.